Contributed
University of Cincinnati (UC) Women’s Basketball team generously volunteered their time at Queen City Book Bank’s (QCBB) Book Giveaway Day in November, where they made a special connection with Stacey Jones’ middle school class from Gamble Montessori High School. The players helped them select books, read with them, made bookmarks, and invited them to attend one of their games.
In early December, QCBB’s mascot, Wiggles, joined the students at a Cincinnati Bearcats Women’s Basketball game. The students saw an amazing win and even had a locker room visit with the players after the game and private autograph event! Following the game, UC coaching staff asked QCBB to set up a surprise holiday celebration with the players and class at the book bank.
On December 16th, the entire women’s team, along with UC staff and head coach Katrina Merriweather, gathered at QCBB to spend a fun-filled day with this lucky group of students. The players read to the class, enjoyed tasty treats, and had a blast playing games together. The day wrapped up with each student choosing three books from QCBB and receiving tickets to the Cincinnati Zoo’s Festival of Lights, generously donated by HCM Wealth Advisors & CPAs. As a final surprise, the students were also given some amazing UC merchandise from the team.
Queen City Book Bank CEO Michelle Otten Guenther expressed, “This partnership between the players and students is truly something special! A big thank you to the UC Women’s Basketball staff, players, and the exceptional Stacey Jones for making this incredible experience happen. It’s been such a joy to be part of creating this connection and to see the smiles on both the students’ and players’ faces when they meet. I have a feeling this won’t be the last time they get together. It’s a wonderful way to start the holiday season for everyone involved!”